Kırımgeray Kirimli Of Flatiron Software On How To Use Digital Transformation To Take Your Company To The Next Level

Scale the business:

Another customer asked us to build mobile applications on iOS and Android platforms. Once we completed this project, they increased their usage significantly while creating a more seamless user journey.

As a part of our series about “How To Use Digital Transformation To Take Your Company To The Next Level”, we had the pleasure of interviewing Kırımgeray Kirimli.

Kırımgeray Kirimli is a highly experienced technology professional currently serving as Director at Flatiron Software Co. in New York. His career features a range of leadership and software engineering roles, such as Vice President of Engineering at Nexstar Media Group, Inc. and Tech Lead at Hearst Magazines. With his extensive leadership and technical expertise, Kırımgeray drives innovation, promotes teamwork, and delivers top-notch software solutions, contributing to the success and growth of Flatiron Software Co.

Thank you so much for joining us in this interview series. Before we dive in, our readers would love to “get to know you” a bit better. Can you tell us a bit about your ‘backstory’ and how you got started?

My journey in the tech industry began with my education at New York University, where I pursued a Bachelor of Arts in Computer Science, Mathematics, and French Literature. It laid the foundation for my career in technology.

I started my career as an engineer working for startups. Then, I had my first big company experience at Hearst Corporation, where I served under different business units. During my five years there, I delved into various aspects of technology, from corporate CMS and application development in PHP, JavaScript, Python, to leading a dedicated video team in creating a Video Management System (VMS) from scratch. This experience introduced me to microservices-based architecture, continuous deployment, and agile methodologies. My final role there was to lead their international engineering teams.

Following my time at Hearst, I assumed the role of Vice President of Engineering at Nexstar Media Group, Inc., where I further developed my leadership and management skills while overseeing engineering teams and contributing to strategic decision-making.

Today, I wear multiple hats at Flatiron Software, focusing on building engineering teams and managing multiple projects. My journey has been defined by my passion for technology, the desire to explore new challenges, and continuing to learn and grow in this ever-evolving industry.

Can you share a story about the funniest mistake you made when you were first starting? Can you tell us what lessons or ‘take aways’ you learned from that?

When I first started, I used to think that processes in software development, such as scrum, were a waste of time. Over time, as I gained experience managing teams and even managing teams of managers, I looked back at those thoughts and laughed at how wrong I was.

None of us are able to achieve success without some help along the way. Is there a particular person who you are grateful towards who helped get you to where you are? Can you share a story?

While I don’t think there is one single person, I would say that my code reviewers during the early days of my career helped me grow the most as an engineer.

Is there a particular book, podcast, or film that made a significant impact on you? Can you share a story or explain why it resonated with you so much?

It is probably very cliche, but I was very influenced by Walter Isaacson’s biography of Steve Jobs. I loved his creativity and passion for innovation, as well as his ability to see beyond existing paradigms.

Extensive research suggests that “purpose-driven businesses” are more successful in many areas. When your company started, what was its vision, what was its purpose?

Our vision was, and still is, to build scalable enterprise software. Our goal is to have efficient and productive teams of skilled technologists who are fearless in learning new things at all times.

At Flatiron Software Cooperation, we’ve always aimed to be a leader in the tech industry, providing outstanding software solutions and engineering services that drive our clients’ success.

We are dedicated to client-centric solutions, offering tailor-made, innovative services to tackle their unique challenges while maintaining cost-effectiveness to ensure quality and affordability. We are passionate about nurturing our talent and creating an environment for learning, growth, and thriving. Our vision revolves around adapting and embracing change, fostering innovation, and staying at the forefront of technological advancements.

Are you working on any new, exciting projects now? How do you think that might help people?

We absolutely are. We have some exciting projects in the pipeline, including Snapshot Reviews. Snapshot Reviews is a project where we’re developing innovative software to analyze activities on various platforms, including GitHub and Jira. This project could revolutionize how businesses track and review their software development teams and their activities. It offers a more efficient and data-driven approach to monitor progress, identify bottlenecks, and enhance overall project management.

The ultimate goal is to help organizations streamline their development processes, improve collaboration, and boost productivity. With Snapshot Reviews, we aim to provide businesses with a tool that not only saves time and resources but also leads to more successful and on-time project deliveries.

Additionally, we continuously explore new projects and solutions to address the evolving needs of our clients, focusing on technologies that make a real difference in how companies operate and serve their customers.

For the benefit of our readers, can you help explain what exactly Digital Transformation means? On a practical level what does it look like to engage in a Digital Transformation?

Digital transformation is a shift in how organizations use technology to improve their operations to meet evolving customer expectations. It’s not just about incorporating digital tools; it’s a comprehensive rethinking of business strategies and the entire customer experience.

On a practical level, digital transformation integrates cutting-edge technologies such as cloud computing, data analytics, AI, and IoT into existing processes. This enables the collection, analysis, and application of data-driven insights. And at its core, digital transformation automates and digitizes internal processes to reduce manual efforts and increase efficiency — including everything from supply chain management to HR processes.

This transformation also has a strong emphasis on the customer. It prioritizes meeting customer needs through personalized experiences and efficient services, achieved by gathering and utilizing data to understand customer behavior and preferences.

Data-driven decision-making is also a cornerstone of digital transformation. Utilizing data analytics and reporting tools to inform decision-making at every level of the organization is critical, including predictive analytics to anticipate future trends and requirements. And we can’t forget that safeguarding data and privacy is paramount in the digital realm. Cybersecurity and compliance with data protection regulations are integral to the process.

Lastly, this transformation involves setting clear Key Performance Indicators (KPIs) and metrics to measure the impact of these new efforts, ensuring they align with strategic goals.

Which companies can most benefit from a Digital Transformation?

Those benefitting from it typically operate in industries undergoing rapid technological changes and facing evolving customer demands. This includes sectors like finance, healthcare, manufacturing, retail, and even media.

For example, in finance, digital transformation enhances customer service by providing digital banking solutions with more secure transactions. In healthcare, it can increase patient data safety through electronic health records and improve access to professional help via telemedicine. In manufacturing, automation and data analytics can optimize production processes and make life easier for managers and machine operators. For retailers, it means delivering a seamless online and in-store shopping experience.

In truth, any sector can benefit from a digital transformation, especially companies that recognize the need to stay competitive, adapt to changing market dynamics, and meet the demands of an increasingly digital world.

We’d love to hear about your experiences helping others with Digital Transformation. In your experience, how has Digital Transformation helped improve operations, processes and customer experiences? We’d love to hear some stories if possible.

We have seen our clients optimize their workload by automating processes and even increase their revenue. We work with private equity firms that are looking to increase the profitability and efficiency of their portfolio companies — undergoing a digital transformation is the ideal solution for that. We are capable of developing solutions that create intellectual property for the businesses while also improving their processes.

Has integrating Digital Transformation been a challenging process for some companies? What are the challenges? How do you help resolve them?

A digital transformation can indeed be a challenging process for many companies. Issues often stem from the scale and complexity of their company and legacy system. Some common obstacles include:

• Legacy systems: Several companies today still rely on older systems that aren’t easily adaptable to new technologies. So, integrating these legacy systems with more modern tech can be daunting.
• Data management: Managing and making sense of vast amounts of data is a common hurdle because data privacy and security concerns also come into play.
• Aversion to change: Resistance to change within the organization can hinder transformation efforts. Employees may be uncomfortable with new tools and processes if they’re already used to older systems. Here’s where upskilling makes a difference to prepare employees for this shift.
• Costs: The initial investments in technology and training can be quite significant but worth it. Companies often need to weigh the upfront costs against the long-term benefits.
• Cybersecurity: As digital systems expand, so do their attack surfaces. Protecting against data breaches and cyber threats is a paramount concern.
• Lack of expertise: Companies may lack the proper in-house expertise to navigate the intricacies of running a digital transformation effectively. Leaders shouldn’t be afraid to outsource and seek the support of digital transformation professionals.

To help resolve these challenges, we at Flatiron Software Cooperation typically employ a structured approach:

• Assessment: We begin by conducting a comprehensive assessment of the company’s current technology landscape, business goals, and areas that need improvement.
• Customized solutions: Based on the assessment, we create tailored digital transformation strategies. This includes selecting the right technologies and tools for the company’s specific conditions.
• Change management: We work closely with the organization to ensure a smooth transition. This often involves training programs and effective communication to address employee concerns.
• Data strategy: We help develop robust data management strategies, including data analytics and security measures.
• Agile implementation: We advocate for agile methodologies to adapt to changes and overcome challenges as they arise — this is why training staff is vital.
• Collaboration: We work collaboratively with the organization’s IT team to bridge the gap in expertise and ensure a cohesive approach.
• Continuous support: Digital transformation is an ongoing process. After the initial implementation, we provide continued support and monitoring to ensure the transformation’s success and address any emerging issues.

The key is to create a partnership with the company and support them through every step of the digital transformation journey. By understanding their unique challenges and goals, we can develop strategies and solutions that effectively address the obstacles they might face.

Based on your experience and success, what are “Five Ways a Company Can Use Digital Transformation To Take It To The Next Level”?

Improve existing processes:

• One of our clients managed to automate their customer flows by building a platform. Through this, they reduced workload and staff while speeding up customer wait time.

Create new solutions:

• A large media company we work with has asked us to implement user login across all their sites. Through that, they could monetize their content better while offering more targeted user experiences.

Scale the business:

• Another customer asked us to build mobile applications on iOS and Android platforms. Once we completed this project, they increased their usage significantly while creating a more seamless user journey.

Provide new experiences:

• We built an application for smart TV platforms for one of the largest TV broadcasters in the US. In doing so, the company improved the experience of all its existing users and helped them become more competitive against streaming providers.

Build better customer relationships:

• One of our clients asked us to build ]a platform that would automate their entire sign-up flow. This helped increase new customer sign-ups significantly.

In your opinion, how can companies best create a “culture of innovation” in order to create new competitive advantages?

It’s crucial to start at the top. Leadership should demonstrate a strong commitment to innovation, setting an example for the rest of the organization. They need to be open to new ideas and willing to take calculated risks.

Clear communication is also key. Encouraging all employees to contribute their ideas and creating channels to submit them is a good way to increase innovation. Maintaining open and transparent communication is essential in this process to make employees feel safe sharing their thoughts and concerns. This includes active listening and providing constructive feedback.

Then, you must provide the necessary resources to turn these ideas into reality. Invest in continuous learning and development for employees to keep their skills and knowledge up-to-date. This incentivizes a growth mindset that embraces learning and improvement.

Also, building a diverse workforce brings together individuals with varied perspectives and backgrounds. It’s this rich tapestry of experiences that often leads to fresh, innovative ideas and solutions. When people from different walks of life collaborate, they naturally bring unique viewpoints to the table, sparking creativity and novel approaches to problem-solving.

Innovation thrives in an environment where it’s recognized and rewarded. This goes beyond financial incentives, though they’re effective. It’s about acknowledging and celebrating innovative contributions through recognition programs, awards, or opportunities for career advancement, which serve as potent motivators for employees to think creatively and contribute to the company’s growth.

Creating cross-functional teams is a strategic move to promote innovation as well. These teams bring together individuals with diverse expertise from various departments. And by uniting these different skill sets and perspectives, they become adept at tackling complex challenges more effectively. The synergy of these diverse skills often leads to the most innovative solutions.

Lastly, setting KPIs is crucial for measuring the impact of innovation efforts. KPIs ensure that innovation aligns with company goals and can be evaluated for its effectiveness. Holding teams and individuals accountable for these KPIs fosters a results-driven approach to innovation.

Can you please give us your favorite “Life Lesson Quote”? Can you share how that was relevant to you in your life?

Impossible is nothing. While in real terms this might not necessarily be true at times, during software development, this approach really works. There were hundreds of times when I felt like I could not solve a certain software problem, and at the time, it really felt impossible, but going back to this quote truly helped me overcome those obstacles every time.

How can our readers further follow your work?

Readers can easily stay updated on Flatiron Software Cooperation’s work by visiting our official website and following our socials: Instagram and LinkedIn.

We regularly share insights, case studies, and updates related to technology, innovation, and digital transformation through these channels. We look forward to connecting and sharing valuable insights with our readers!

Thank you so much for sharing these important insights. We wish you continued success and good health!